The Bruins’ decision to start 18-year-old first-round pick David Pastrnak with Providence of the American Hockey League rather than keep him in the NHL or send him to his team in the Swedish Elite League is paying off.

WILMINGTON, Mass. — Bruins coach Claude Julien thinks he knows why forward Reilly Smith has just two goals in 11 games and earned a demotion to the fourth line for practice on Wednesday at Ristuccia Arena.

“He’s playing like a guy who came in late. [He’s] a little behind,” Julien said.